{"id":63976,"date":"2025-03-21T09:54:27","date_gmt":"2025-03-21T09:54:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/shefnews.co.uk\/?p=63976"},"modified":"2025-03-21T10:12:05","modified_gmt":"2025-03-21T10:12:05","slug":"a-sleeping-bag-should-not-be-a-home-sheffield-homeless-charity-to-tackle-half-marathon-in-sleeping-bags","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/shefnews.co.uk\/index.php\/2025\/03\/21\/a-sleeping-bag-should-not-be-a-home-sheffield-homeless-charity-to-tackle-half-marathon-in-sleeping-bags\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018A sleeping bag should not be a home\u2019: Sheffield homeless charity to tackle Half Marathon in sleeping bags"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A team from Sheffield\u2019s Archer Project will once again take on the city\u2019s Half Marathon this Sunday, running in sleeping bags to raise awareness and funds for homelessness. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Joe Logan, head of fundraising and one of the runners, emphasised that the challenge is designed to highlight the stark reality of homelessness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said: \u201cPart of this is about drawing attention to how horrific it is that people have to resort to sleeping in a sleeping bag at night. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe might look a bit daft running in them, but if that helps highlight the reality of homelessness, then it\u2019s worth it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The team took on this unique challenge last year, with CEO Tim Renshaw and former head of fundraising, Lynne Urpeth, running in sleeping bags to raise awareness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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CEO Tim Renshaw and former Head of Fundraising, Lynne Urpeth, at Knowle Lane<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The initiative is already gaining traction, with the JustGiving page set up by Mr Renshaw, surpassing a quarter of its goal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Through the fundraiser, the project hopes to also challenge common misconceptions about homelessness. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mr Logan said: \u201cWe\u2019re entering a time of year when people naturally think less about homelessness because the weather is nicer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBut homelessness doesn\u2019t go away in the summer. The support we provide is needed all year round.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2024 alone, the Archer Project supported 1,223 individuals and served a record 24,445 meals, demonstrating the growing need for its services. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded in 1989, the Archer Project has been supporting people experiencing homelessness for more than 30 years.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each day, it provides essentials such as food, clothing, toilets, showers, and laundry facilities. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They also offer long-term support, including access to mental health services, housing assistance, and financial aid.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to raising awareness, the Archer Project is focused on shifting public opinion to see homelessness as a health issue. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mr Logan said: \u201cYes, social factors and housing shortages play a role, but at its core, homelessness is about health and well-being. That\u2019s why our work focuses on long-term recovery and reintegration into society,\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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